White House was put on the defensive instantly by these revelations accused of spying on Americans. ABC's chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl has that part of the story. When he was President Bush collecting millions of phone records. Certain senator from Illinois was out really needs no more illegal wiretapping of American citizens. No more national security letters to spy on citizens were not suspected of a crime this time -- some of president Obama's own allies who were outraged at him. I think it violates the constitution of the United States. And the -- -- from workers a free country attorney general Eric Holder went to Capitol Hill today. -- you sure to us. That. No phones inside the capitol were monitored members of congress I don't think this is an appropriate setting for a meet to discuss. -- -- -- the correct answer would be say no we stayed within -- lane and I'm assuring you we did not. Spy on members of congress. Today the White House had -- all legal approved by special intelligence court. But that court last year reviewed more than 17100. Requests from the administration. How many did it turned down zero. The president has some unlikely supporters on this Republicans. So you keep up what you're doing President Bush started it president bombs continue and -- we needed from -- twenty. The White House points out that members of congress have been notified about all of this and that is true members of congress at least the leadership in congress in both parties. Was briefed about what the administration was doing. But Diane because this was classified. All the information was classified they couldn't publicly object to it or even talk about it.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

The NSA Phone Program the White House Didn't Want Revealed

NSA reportedly sweeps up Verizon call data with secret court order.

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